Beshaba

Intermediate deity Title: The Maid of Misfortune, Black Bess, Lady Doom, Maid of Misrule Alignment: Chaotic Evil Worshipers: Any, but mainly CN, NE, CE Clerics: CN, NE, CE Symbol: Black antlers on a red field Domains: Chaos, Evil, Fate, Luck, Trickery Portfolio: random mischief, misfortune, bad luck, accidents Favored weapon: Ill Fortune [barbed scourge] (scourge)

Lady Doom, as she is also known, demands worship to keep her bad luck at bay. She is a Chaotic Evil Intermediate Power, whose symbol is black antlers on a red field, divine realm is Blood Tor in the Barrens of Doom and Despair, and Third Edition domains are Chaos, Evil, Fate, Luck, and Trickery. Her weapon is a "barbed" scourge, aptly named "Ill Fortune".

Worshipers

Beshaba is revered more out of fear, than out of religious faith. Beshaba's doctrine states that bad luck befalls everybody, and the only way to avoid it is by worshipping her. She is renowned for being spiteful and malevolent, and her priests manipulate common folk into revering and providing for them by acting mysteriously and playing on morbid fears. Their favored weapon are scourges.

Her clergy also make sacrifices: Clerics must offer an entreaty for their spells, and make sacrifices of alcoholic beverages such as burning brandy or wine. There are two festivals in the calendar of Beshaba followers, "Midsummer" and "Shieldmeet". Both are celebrated by revelry and indulgence in food and drink.

History & Relationships

Beshaba is the twin of Tymora, are sworn enemies as well as 'sisters', much like Selûne and Shar.

Beshaba came into being when the deity Tyche split during the Dawn Cataclysm (a separate disaster relating to the machinations of Lathander). Tyche was infected with a taint of the dark god Moander, and was forced her to split into two parts by her friend Selûne. Those two parts, Tymora and Beshaba, sprang out fully formed and immediately fought.

Beshaba, who is said to have gotten Tyche's looks where Tymora got her love, is considered to be attractive to many male deities, and some have been devoured with her lustful passions. She has rejected advances from Talos, and other hopefuls. Mortals who perceive the Maid of Misfortune are often destroyed by their lust or driven to maddened loyalty.

Beshaba's aim in life, is to desiccate and disintegrate her antithesis, "Lady Luck". She also delights in cursing others; for example, she causes seafarers to lose their navigational instincts. She has no allies. Agathos Daimon, who was Tyche's mate, fears and abhors Beshaba, but has roused himself to seek the reunification of her with Tymora.